By Thu Anh

HCM CITY —  Young film directors are expected to shine in the annual 2016 Golden Kite Awards organised by the Việt Nam Cinematography Association in HCM City.

The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday at the city’s Military Theatre in Tân Bình District. 

Young directors Đinh Tuấn Vũ, Trần Kamy and Việt Max are all vying for the golden prizes in categories of best film and best director for their feature films.

Up-and-coming director Đinh Tuấn Vũ’s third film, Chờ Em Đến Ngày Mai (Waiting for You till Tomorrow), a production that contains youth, love and family problems in modern society, should be a strong favourite.

"I’m not sure how my work will fare at the competition, but it is one that young audiences enjoyed watching," said 28-year-old Vũ, a graduate from the Hà Nội University of Theatre and Cinematography.    

Chờ Em Đến Ngày Mai released late last year and it was one of the industry’s big hits. In HCM City, the film attracted more than 35,000 people to cinemas after the first week of release. 

The film features young HCM City actors, including An Nguy and Trấn Thành.   

Vũ’s first work, Cuộc Đời Của Yến (Yến’s Life), won five top prizes, including Silver Lotus Award for best actress, best music, best cinematography and best production design, at the 19th Việt Nam Film Festival in 2015.

Produced by the Việt Nam Feature Film Studio, the film is about the life of a 10-year-old girl living in a remote area of Việt Nam, whose marriage was arranged by her parents.

It also won the Grand Festival Prize at World Premieres Film Festival in the Philippines last year, which aims to highlight filmmaking talent around the world.

Vũ’s film was one of eight contemporary Vietnamese films, which were chosen for screening at the festival at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

"We hope our films signal a trend in the industry, and that the Golden Kite jury and veteran filmmakers should take notice," the 31-year-old director Trần Ka My of HCM City.  

My’s Tik Tak Anh Yêu Em (Tik Tak I Love You) is a psychological film that features lessons from love and career earned by a group of urban and young women and men.

The film attracted young actors Tú Vi and Lương Thế Thành, who perform confident along veteran artists like Thành Lộc.

My said many of his colleagues face financial challenges to develop their career and join a big competition like the Golden Kite Awards.

"I think cultural authorities and film festival organisers should give support to help our young filmmakers to show off their creations at national events."  

Another talented director, Việt Max, hopes his second work Sút (Shoot) will set a trend for more seriously appealing films in a local industry that is still dominated by comedy topics. 

Sút is a story about young football players who sacrifice their life to develop their professional career. They become selfish after earning victories and money. The film has made a strong impression on young audiences, particularly teenagers.   

The film starred young actress Nhung Kate, who worked hard to perform in her action scenes.

It was distributed by BHD, one of the country’s private leading film companies and distributors.

The 16 remaining films for the Golden Kite Award, mostly by young directors, are expected to be tough competitors.   

The organiser received 118 entries, including 19 feature films, 20 TV series, 13 cartoons, 52 documentary films, 11 scientific films and 16 short films.

The entries will compete in different categories, such as best film, best director, best actor and actress. 

The week of free screenings began on April 1 at Cinebox, Cinestar Quốc Thanh, CGV Thảo Điền, and BHD cinemas.- VNS